Tunisia, US mull plans to upgrade cooperation in military sector, counterterrorism

Tunisia and the US Wednesday pondered over ways to increase their military cooperation as President Kais Saied met with Stefen Townsend, commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

In his discussions with President Saied, Townsend focused on US partnership with Tunisia, as well as shared concerns over regional stability and the desire to degrade violent extremist organizations.

“We share mutual security concerns, common threats and a commitment to enhancing regional security and stability,” Townsend said following the meeting.

The US-Tunisian partnership and efforts to enhance security and stability within Tunisia and the region were also discussed at a meeting between Townsend and Tunisian Minister of Defense Ibrahim Bartagi.

While in Tunisia, Townsend also met with the US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland. During the meeting, the two spoke via video conference call with newly-appointed Libyan Minister of Defense Salah Eddine al-Namrush to reiterate US support for continued intra-Libyan dialogue under the UN-led process.

Townsend and Norland also conveyed US support for Libya’s counter-terrorism efforts, security sector reform, and calls for the departure of all foreign military and mercenary forces from Libya.